Homeward Bound

December 12 (Monday):

Departed Mumbai just after midnight at 1:45am.  Arrived in Amsterdam at 6:50am.  Rested, napped and freshened up at the airport.

Departed Amsterdam at 10:40am.  Arrived in Seattle at 11:15am (1 hr earlier), but had to wait on the tarmac for an opening at the gate, which took about 50 mins.  Had to go through Immigration (long, long line up); baggage claim; customs; and finally re-checked in baggage.  Had to take 3 short trains (10 mins) to Gate C.

Departed Seattle at 2:35pm.  Arrived in Edmonton at 5:34pm, and cleared Immigration and Customs.

Drove Home, Sweet Home with Tahira.

Mumbai

December 11 (Sunday):

Got a wake up call at 9:00am.  Showered, got ready, went for breakfast at 10:00am.  An amazing array of food and great service - they even redo your napkins whilst you are gone for second helpings.  Relaxed in the lobby and  watched the in and out goings - not a boring moment.  Went to do some shopping in the small stalls along Coloba Causeway.  Bought some Pashmini and got talking to to the shop owner, who was from Kashmir.  He invited us in and gave us tea & coffee.

Back to the Taj, packed and checked out at 3:30pm - they granted us a late check out, as we had a late night flight.  Left our baggage at the Concierge.   At 5:00pm, we were given a tour and history of the Taj Hotel - some incredible facts going back to the British Rule.  The Hall of Fame reflected some of the guests that had stayed at this hotel - looked like most of the famous people had stayed here at least once - from President's; Kings & Queens to movie stars.  We were shown the exclusive club room; the grand banquet room; the main staircase etc etc.  At one point, Mr Tata (the richest man in India; and one of the top 10 richest in the world, and also the owner of the Taj) came by and greeted us.  At the end of the tour as the group dispersed, the eloquently spoken guide (Viren D'Sa) came to us and asked us to join him for a complimentary drink and chat, which we did. 

Went to experience a bollywood movie at the local cinema - lots of pushing to get in, and lots of whistling and screaming, depending on the scene.  Left after an hour, as were running out of time.  Went back to the Taj, where they had granted us access to the Spa to shower, change and freshen up before our flight.  Checked out at 9:45, and got a taxi to the airport (450 Rupees - $9).

Arrived at the airport at 11:20pm.  Checked in; cashed in my Rupees; and went through Security and Immigration.


December 10 (Saturday):

Today, our last night, was at the Taj Palace hotel.  Got a wake up call at 8:30am.  Got ready, had breakfast, packed and checked out.  Got a taxi to Taj Palace hotel.  There was security all around, due to the recent terrorists attack.  The entire perimeter of the Taj was barricaded, and there were a large number of security personnel all around - but once they got to know us, we were treated with respect.  Got a grand reception - garland, tika, local traditional juice.  They had upgraded our room to deluxe (higher floor).  Unpacked and took in the sights within the hotel - a number of great restaurants; designer shops, patio and the swimming pool.  The service was exceptional, with rooms being made 2-3 times a day, regular check ups to see of we needed tea, coffee or anything etc, etc. 

Negotiated a deal with a taxi driver.  Left at 11:3Oam, went to Dadar - took 1 1/2 hrs due to traffic.  Went to Suvidha - a famous clothing department store.  Went overboard with our shopping - didn't mind as this was our only shopping spree and we were nearing the end of our holidays.  Were looked after very well and given juices as we moved through the various areas.  Then drove to Juhu beach for some 'Pau Bhaji'.  Went to see the famous Bollywood stars residences - Amitabh Bachan; Hema Malini; Abishek & Ashwariya; Rhitik Roshan; Dharmendra (Bobby Deol was just driving in); Yash Chopra etc.  Then drove to Bandra and saw Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan's residences.  Drove to Haji Ali mosque and then back to Taj Palace hotel at 7:00pm.  The entrance to the Taj was continuously lined up with luxury cars as guests were being dropped off and picked up.

Freshened up and then did a tour again of the Taj Palace hotel.  Went to Delhi Durbar (another famous eatery) for dinner - great food.  Back to Taj to freshen up and change.  Took a taxi to Intercontinental Hotel - the roof top cocktail (Dome) has great views of Marine Drive and the ocean and is famous for bollywood star spotting.  Jackie Shroff had been there 1/2 hr before we arrived.  Took in the scenery, while having cocktails, and took some pictures.

Took taxi back to Coloba and went to another club - Polly Esther.  Slept at 2:00am


Spent the night at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.



December 9 (Friday):

Got a wake up call at 7:45am.  Got ready, had breakfast and went to Apollo Bunder at 9:00am.  Got a ticket for the City Bus sightseeing tour (180 Rupees - $3.60).  The bus departed at 10:30am, and in the meantime, got my shoes cleaned (20 Rupees - $0.40), and had masala chai (5 Rupees - $0.10).

The tour consisted of Gateway of India; Taj Palace Hotel; Galleries; Museums; Aquariums; Nariman Point; Marine Drive; Tower of Silence; Chowpatty Beach; Bandra; Bollywood Stars houses; Juhu Beach etc.  Had local "Thali" (50 Rupees - $1) along the way, and "Bhel Puri" (50 Rupees - $1) at Juhu beach.

Bus dropped us at Andheri Metro station at around 7:00pm.  Got the local train to Churchgate station - amazing experience - got almost trampled as people jumped on to the moving train to get a seat before passengers could even get out.  Lots of passengers were hanging out on the moving train - this would be our last experience of the local trains.

It took about 45 mins (15 stops) to get to Churchgate station.  Took taxi (50 Rupees - $1) to hotel, relaxed and showered.  Got ready and went to "Leopolds" for dinner - this restaurant was recommended in the 'Lonely Planet' and was packed.  We were give a table right away.  Had beef kebab - great food and great crowd.  Went to Gateway of India for some pictures, and then back to the hotel to freshen up and change.

At 12:00 midnight, went to the "Prevee" club - an exclusive, posh club.  Admission is restricted to card carrying members, their guests through reservations, being a celebrity or being accompanied by a celebrity.  Being foreigners, they let us in.  We experienced the lifestyle of Mumbai's chic youngsters - sons and daughters of Mumbai's millionaires - as they charaded their partners, lavishly spent money on expensive drinks, and had chauffeur driven cars waiting outside.  There were personal open rooms surrounding the dance floor for members.  It was very, very crowded and the music wasn't great.  Left at 3:00am.


Spent the night at Diplomat Hotel.


December 8 (Thursday):

Got a wake up call at 8:00am (knock on the door).  Got ready and went for breakfast at 9:30am.  Finished packing, checked out and took a taxi at 10:15 (900 Rupees - $18) to the airport.  Arrived at the airport at 11:30am - checked in and went through security.  Departed Goa at 1:50pm.

Arrived Mumbai at 3:00pm.  Got a pre-paid taxi (440 Rupes - $9).  Lots of traffic, so the going was very slow, and it took a long time to get to our hotel in Colaba.  Arrived 1 1/2 hrs later at 5:00pm.  The drive was very scenic.  Checked in to the Diplomat Hotel.  The location was great - just behind the Taj Palace hotel.  They upgarded our room so it faced the back of the Taj Hotel.  On the side of our hotel was the Salvation Hostel - where Safraz and I had stayed 10 years ago.

Showered and freshened up.  Went to the famous Bade Miya - just a shack that opens only in the evenings for BBQ's - but very packed, with small tables laid out on the street.  Had chicken and mutton BBQ.  Back to hotel to clear the Delhi Bellies.  Walked along Colaba Causeway - small shops; restaurants; cinemas; clubs etc.  Walked to Marine Drive and then walked along Marine Drive to Chowpatty Beach - must have walked a few kilometres.  Got a taxi back to the hotel.  Heard some good music and went to the hotel bar - all the people were in a great mood and dancing.  A group of men & women asked us to join in and we had a merry time.  Only stayed a short time due to our early schedule the next day.


Spent the night at Diplomat Hotel.

Goa

December 7 (Wednesday):

Got up at 9:00am, with a slight headache. Freshened up and had a light breakfast at 10:00am.  Rested in the room and then walked over to Baga beach.  Spent some time walking along the beach before deciding on where to sit amongst a large number of spots.  Got beach chairs and took in the sun, sand, water and caught up on the sleep.  Had drinks; coconut water ($0.60); massage ($3:00); henna ($4:00); pedicure and manicure ($10:00).  Played some soccer and met/talked to lots of people.


Left the beach at 5:30pm - as the various shack owners prepared the beach for the evening dining.  Went back to the hotel, relaxed and freshened up.  Left at 8:15pm and went to a sports bar for dinner.  Met some very friendly Russian tourists and had Russian Vodka with them.   At 11:30pm, went to the 'Hype' club, which was hosting India's Number 2 DJ.  There were lots of media and well dressed people.  The DJ did not show up until 1:00pm, but he put on an amazing show, playing dance and Bollywood hits - he really got the place rocking.  Left at 3:00am and walked back to our hotel.


Spent the night at Suncity Resort.



December 6 (Tuesday):

Got up at 8:00am.  Arranged for laundry and made phone calls.  Had breakfast and then rested in the room.  Left at 11:00am and took a taxi to Anjuna beach.  It was a 10-15 min. walk to the beach from the taxi stand.  Walked along the beach for some time.  Got beach chairs, had some fresh pineapple juice and relaxed in the sun on the beach.

On the way back, we got a ride in a Jeep that some visitors from New Delhi had rented.  Back to the hotel, rested and left at 3:45pm.  Got a taxi to Caluncate beach and walked around.  Continued our taxi ride to Panjim (the capital of Goa) - where we did a short tour.  The taxi driver then took us to the river boat cruises, where we took a Sunset Cruise on a large cruiser.  Entertainment included 3 traditional dances and public dancing.  The taxi driver was waiting for us when we finished our cruise at 7:30pm.

Back to Baga (the entire taxi ride from 3:34pm cost us 800 Rupees - $16) where we ate at a different restaurant on the beach.  Back to hotel and napped.

Left around 11:30pm and went to Tito's, one of the popular clubs in Goa - entry was 1,500 rupees ($30) for 2 with unlimited drinks.  It was a rocking place, where we met many tourists.  At 3:00am, went to the beach for some Sheesha (pan flavoured).  Another late night.

Spent the night at Suncity Resort.




December 5 (Monday):

Got up at 7:30am.  Packed, had breakfast at hotel and checked out.  Left with Gijo for the airport at 9:50am.  Drove slowly as we had time to kill.  Arrived at Madurai airport at 11:00am.  Bid goodbye to Gijo - it was very emotional on both sides as we had come to know each other quite well in the past 10 days. He insisted (he had mentioned this to us numerous times before) that we visit him in 2 years for his marriage - he would provide us with accommodation and a car.  Gave him very good tip.

Checked in and departed Madurai airport at 1:55pm (10 mins late).  Arrived Chennai at 2:50pm (10 mins late).  Had only 50 mins to collect our baggage, change terminals, check in the baggage, clear security and make our flight at 3:40pm.  Ran, sweated, perspired and got to the boarding gate at 3:35pm.  We delayed the flight and it departed 15 mins late at 3:55pm.

Arrived in Goa at 5:10pm (15 mins late).  Got our baggage and got a pre-paid Taxi at 5:25pm to our hotel in Baga Beach.  It was a very slow drive as there was a lot of traffic.  Arrived at our hotel at 7:00pm.  The rooms were so-so, but the location was great.  Unpacked, showered and made out way to the main drag.  Lots of people, restaurants and bars.  There were lots of food places on the beach, were we had a sizzling dinner with reggae music and dancing on the beach.  Went back to the hotel to freshen up.  Back to the main drag - went to 2 night clubs and a sports bar.  Slept very late.  Look like it's going to be late nights for the next 2 nights.


Spent the night at Suncity Resort.

Kerala - Trivandrum, Kovalam, Kanyakumari, Madurai

December 4 (Sunday):

Got up at 5:30am to watch the sunrise.  From our room we could see lots and lots pf people lined up at various locations to watch the sunrise, and we were lucky to have a much superior view high up from our hotel.  Again, unfortunately it was somewhat cloudy, so did not get the best view,  Had breakfast at the hotel, and then took a ferry to two rocks - a 5 minute sailing. There was a huge line-up for the ferry (2 hr wait - but we jumped the line - at least I have learnt something from the Indians on this trip).  There were very impressive monuments on each of the 2 islands - one of them had an imprint, as legend has it, of Shiva's footsteps as he prayed on the rocks.  Both the rocks were huge and believed to be sacred.

Returned to the hotel, checked out, and departed Kanyakumari at 10:30am.  We drove on a 2 lane highway - best road I have seen to date in India - no potholes; no elephants; no cows; and no driving in between lanes.

Arrived in Madhurai at 2:00pm.  Checked in at the Germanus Hotel.  Showered and freshened up.  Our tour guide, Johnson, came at 3:15pm.  Went to visit the 'Madhurai Meenakshi Temple' - amazing and exquisite - this was nominated as one of the wonders on the world, although did not make the final cut.  There was an elephant that took money (from pilgrims) in it's trunk and gave blessings to people on their foreheads.  The city of Madurai was built around this temple.  Also visited the Thirumalai Naikhan Palace and Thapprakkulam (water palace).

Returned to the hotel and had dinner there - my first steak in India.  Again had drinks with Gijo and slept late.

Spent the night at Germanus Inn.


December 3 (Saturday):

Up at 7:00am.  Had breakfast at hotel, strolled to the beach and watched the fishermen bring in the day's catch - very small number.  Gijo picked us up at 10:00am, checked out and departed Kovalam.  After an hour's drive, stopped at Poovar for boating.  Went for 1 1/2 hr boat ride through mangrove forest; visited 3 islands and stopped by at a floating restaurant.  Continued our journey onwards at 1:00pm through narrow roads and lots of small villages.

Arrived in Kanyakumari at 3:45pm and checked in at the Hotel Seaview.  Kanyakumari is the at the tip and the southern most point of India - known for it's beautiful sunrise and sunset.  It's also known as "Sangam" - where the 3 seas meet - Arabian Sea; Indian Ocean; and the Bay of Bengal.  We had the best room in the entire hotel - top (5th Floor) and the south-east corner room - splendid view of the ocean and perfect for watching the sunrise from our room.

After unpacking, went for a walk - it was packed with lots of people, lots of stalls and lots of beggars - wasn't a pleasant sight.  Went back to the hotel to freshen up and then went to the sunset observation point - unfortunately, it's was cloudy so did not get a good view of the sunset.  Had dinner at hotel and then had drinks with Gijo.

Spent the night at Hotel Seaview.



December 2 (Friday):

Got a wake up call at 7:00am.  Had a restless night as I was itching all night.  Got ready and went down for breakfast - it was a buffet with a large number of choices.  After breakfast, we were informed, and went to the private beach to watch the fisherman fishing.  This was very interesting indeed - at around 7:00am, around 50 men cast a huge net into the sea (with the help of boats) from the beach - this forms like a "U".  They then slowly reel the nets in - 25 men on either side.  By around 9:00am, the nets make the shore, with a large catch of fish.  Half of the fish is for the 'boss' and the other half is divided amongst the 50 men - therefore their day is dependent on the size of the catch.  Each fisherman also gets 10 Ruppes (20 cents).

At 11:00am, drove to Trivandrum - the capital of Kerala - a hustling, busy city.  Saw the Kuthiramalika Temple - a magnificient site; the Ministry (Parliament); museum etc etc.  On the way back to Kovalam, stopped for a road site coconut water.

Rested in the afternoon, then went to Kovalam beach at 5:00pm for a stroll and dinner.  Watched the fishermen bring in the day's catch - which was large.  Gijo has a severe back ache so went to hospital for medication.  Slept early.


Spent the night at Uday Samudra Beach Resort.